From Costa Rica and Cars to Coastal Florida: Kayla Lamb and Desiree Doggett’s Journey in Real Estate
Written by KH Koehler
How a background in international real estate and media is helping to shape two local property managers’ careers in Florida.
Both Kayla Lamb and Desiree Doggett started from very little means or background in real estate, but we often learn that from the humblest beginnings, great things can be created, and that is no different here for these two women. A business partnership built by two incredibly hard-working and dedicated mothers and real estate professionals. And they’re just getting started.
Desiree began her career by helping establish Costa Rica’s first Multiple Listing Service (MLS), after earning a degree in International Relations from the University of Colorado at Boulder. The project created the digital foundation for the country’s real estate market, and her success led to her recruitment in Sarasota, Florida, where she came to manage a 150-property residential portfolio for a European investor group, launching her extensive career in the United States, creating an easier and more efficient way to invest in a growing nation.
Using her passion for others, Kayla began her real estate career at the age of 25 when she started sales. Kayla brings a wealth of experience from her diverse background, which includes a vet technician and over 15 years in the restaurant industry. Her commitment to learning and growth led her to take on the role of a property manager, where today, she oversees the entire property management department at NextHome Excellence, while managing her own investment portfolio as well.
Professional and Media Impact
With nearly two decades in the industry, Desiree now manages approximately 350 units across Hillsborough, Manatee, and Sarasota counties. Licensed as both a Sarasota-based REALTOR® and a Community Association Manager (CAM), her bilingual expertise has helped her manage single-family, multifamily, and condo-hotel assets. In 2024, she co-founded the SlumDogg Millionaires Podcast with Kayla, which features interviews with industry leaders to help demystify property management and investment for her audience of listeners.With designations such as Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) and Commitment to Excellence (C2EX), Kayla Lamb is well-equipped to help people achieve their real estate goals. Whether looking for expert advice on buying or selling a property or needing professional property management services, Kayla is your most reliable and knowledgeable source of support and information. She, too, co-founded the SlumDogg Millionaires Podcast with Desiree.
Desiree and Kayla quickly integrated their personal goal of making real estate knowledge more accessible and helping people build long-term financial stability. Their digital home base at NextHome Excellence offers guidance for their array of real estate services. It also serves as the home base where Desiree and Kayla do all their brainstorming and collaborating.
Professional Leadership and Charitable Contributions
Desiree and Kayla’s podcast, the SlumDogg Millionaires Podcast, contains a charitable component. For every episode, Desiree and Kayla invite their guests to identify a specific cause. The two women then work to support or fulfill a request related to that charity. Their efforts have turned industry conversations into direct community impact that sends a message.Beyond real estate and media, Desiree and Kayla also hold leadership roles for the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM) for the Sarasota/Manatee Counties chapter, which influences local policy. Desiree serves as the Board Secretary, while Kayla currently serves as chapter President.
In her bid to build equity and stability for others, Desiree’s work includes mentoring tenants to eventually transition them into homeowners. She also guides them through the process of property investment, as she believes that property management should involve more than simply collecting rent. Her bilingual proficiency and dedication to the field earned her the “NextHomie of the Year” award from her peers at NextHome Excellence. She has also been called the “Mary Poppins of Real Estate” by her friends and coworkers.
Kayla shares key strengths are her ability to connect with people and understand their unique needs. She successfully helped first-time homebuyers navigate the complexities of purchasing a home by providing clear guidance and personalized support. Additionally, her expertise in property management ensures that landlords can trust her to handle everything from tenant screening to maintenance issues with professionalism and care. As an active member of several professional groups, including the Key Referrals BNI group and the NARPM Sarasota/Manatee Counties chapter, Kayla is dedicated to staying connected within her community and continuously improving her skills.
The Power of Community
Desiree Doggett and Kayla Lamb’s work in various organizations keeps them connected to professional standards and policy conversations in the local property management industry, and their podcast means their brokerage, NextHome Excellence, has been broadly recognized at NARPM. Their show, which carries the tagline “Survive, Thrive, & Retire by 45 utilizing real estate and property management,” has published 25 episodes as of mid-2026.The charity mission embedded at the heart of the SlumDogg Millionaires Podcast is not incidental; it is part of its structure. The goal, as the dynamic duo has described it publicly, is for the podcast to become a meaningful vehicle for community change. Ultimately, this dream team wants to expand access to real estate education while channeling resources toward charitable causes in the communities they serve.
